About PDR Network
PDR Network combines the Health Care Notification Network (HCNN) and the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR) to provide prescribers with a complete, end-to-end service. The PDR is the leading provider of print and online pharmaceutical information to physicians, and the HCNN is the only FDA-compliant network that electronically delivers specialty-specific product safety notices to prescribers. Improving patient safety and reducing physician liability requires prompt, expert delivery of important patient-safety information: PDR Network (formerly Medem) is ideally suited to fulfill this need.
PDR Network General
The PDR and the HCNN are merging to provide a single, end-to-end service for pharmaceutical manufacturers, U.S. physicians and other health care professionals that improves communication regarding important drug information, thereby enhancing patient safety, reducing medical liability, and ensuring FDA compliance.
The PDR, or “Physicians’ Desk Reference,” is the most widely used physician/prescriber resource for drug information, and is found in nearly all doctors’ offices, clinics, hospitals, and health care settings nationwide. The PDR is the primary means by which manufacturers fulfill their “duty to warn” prescribers regarding drug details and safety issues, and is the drug information source most routinely cited in drug-related litigation.
The HCNN, or “Health Care Notification Network,” is the only FDA-compliant online service that provides electronic delivery of important product-related patient safety information such as drug Alerts and REMS programs to physicians and other health care professionals. The HCNN is also used to notify physicians in the event of national public health emergencies or bio-terror events, and is governed by the not-for-profit iHealth Alliance.
The merger unites the pre-eminent paper and electronic drug reference and alert services, thereby delivering end-to-end real-time drug updates and safety Alerts, and fulfilling increasing FDA requirements and ongoing prescriber needs for timely and efficient communications.
The merger was completed on September 1, 2009.
The new company is called “PDR Network.” The combined PDR and HCNN services are now owned by PDR Network, LLC.
PDR Network, LLC is a privately held company owned by shareholders.
Edward Fotsch, MD, is CEO of PDR Network, LLC. Dr. Fotsch was the CEO of the HCNN parent company and he will lead the new company, along with executives from both the HCNN and the PDR.
The HCNN will continue to be governed by the iHealth Alliance, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to protect the interests of patients and providers as healthcare increasingly moves online. The iHealth Alliance ensures that provider data and privacy are protected and that the HCNN is used only for important product safety communications. The iHealth Alliance is chaired by Nancy W. Dickey, MD, the president of the Health Science Center and vice chancellor for Health Affairs for Texas A&M University, and a past president of the AMA. The Board of Directors is comprised of industry leaders from medical societies, liability carriers, patient advocacy groups and others dedicated to protecting the interest of patients and providers.
PDR Network contracts with nearly every manufacturer of pharmaceutical products.
Most specialty and state medical societies, medical liability carriers and health plans partner with PDR Network, along with academic medical institutions and patient advocacy groups.
The core services of PDR Network include the PDR, which is the comprehensive drug resource found in most health care settings throughout the U.S. and available in both print and online form, and the HCNN, which is the only service that provides electronic delivery of urgent, FDA-mandated patient safety Alerts.
The full suite of PDR Network services is accessible online at www.pdrnetwork.net.
PDR Network improves patient safety by providing reliable, comprehensive, continuously updated and widely available drug information and product safety Alerts to all U.S. prescribers.
When prescriber information is more accurate and current, patient safety is improved, and medical risk and liability are reduced, which is why most medical liability carriers support the HCNN service of PDR Network.
The HCNN service of the PDR Network is governed by The iHealth Alliance, the not-for-profit governing body that oversees prescriber privacy and data use while ensuring that the network is used for urgent risk-related communications and important drug information updates.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
Nearly all pharmaceutical companies use PDR Network services to either distribute drug information via the PDR (print or online editions) or to send urgent patient safety Alerts electronically via the HCNN. This is in full accordance with the FDA’s 2006 guidance to manufacturers, which indicates that electronic Alert systems like those offered by PDR Network’s HCNN service are preferable for delivering these Alerts. Increasingly, manufacturers use PDR Network to distribute REMS information to prescribers.
PDR Network services are the most comprehensive, effective and cost-efficient means to distribute FDA-approved drug information, updates, patient safety communications, IND notifications, recalls and REMS programs to U.S. prescribers. PDR Network services fulfill the FDA’s 2006 guidance regarding the use of electronic networks to deliver drug Alerts.
PDR Network improves patient safety and protects the interests of consumers and healthcare providers through delivery of an annual, comprehensive compendium of pharmaceutical product information, updated regularly, together with time-sensitive communication on important product safety developments throughout the year. This unique combination of services fulfills duty-to-warn and FDA requirements and offers healthcare providers a single resource for all important product information and updates.
All major pharmaceutical manufacturers currently use some or all of the services of PDR Network.
PDR Network services offer a powerful online means to rapidly and inexpensively distribute REMS programs to physicians and other prescribers.
Physicians, Physician Groups, and Other Prescribers
All practicing U.S. physicians are sent a copy of the PDR annually. Physicians and other prescribers may use the PDR Network online services available at PDR and HCNN. Physicians may also assign members of their staff to receive patient safety Alerts electronically via the HCNN.
The services offered by PDR Network make it easier for health care professionals to have both online and offline access to up-to-date drug information and allows them to receive electronic delivery of updates, drug Alerts and REMS programs.
PDR Network is the most complete, up-to-date resource for FDA-approved drug information in the United States.
By providing a reliable, trusted source of information on drug updates, label changes, and urgent risk-related Alerts, PDR Network improves patient safety, thereby reducing medical risk. Nearly all professional liability insurers actively promote the HCNN to their insured physicians.
The print version of the PDR is provided free-of-charge to every physician in the United States, and the content is also available online at PDR.net. In addition, prescribers may register at no cost to receive time sensitive, FDA-mandated patient safety Alerts via the HCNN.
All services of the PDR Network are available at no charge to U.S. physicians.
PDR Network enables prescribers to earn CME credits for viewing online Alerts via the HCNN.
The PDR Network is funded by manufacturers that use the network to deliver FDA-required drug information and updates to prescribers.
For more information about or to sign up for the services of the PDR Network, prescribers may visit www.pdrnetwork.net.
Medical Societies
Medical societies support the HCNN because it improves patient safety and reduces professional liability by ensuring that urgent, FDA-mandated product safety Alerts and REMS programs are delivered electronically to physicians, physician assistants, and other health care professionals. PDR Network services are provided to physicians at no cost.
For a complete list of supporting societies, please visit our Supporters Page.
Liability Carriers
Liability carriers educate their insured physicians and assist them in enrolling in the HCNN service because more timely and effective delivery of product safety Alerts to physicians improves quality of care and decreases liability. Liability carriers also participate in the governance of the HCNN.
Liability carriers support the HCNN because it provides rapid, effective delivery of patient safety Alerts. Delays in receiving and responding to Alerts may increase professional liability.
Physicians may be eligible for discounts and/or premium credits for participating in PDR Network services. Check with individual carriers for specific details.